It was scrappy and not too pretty on the eye, but Steve Coppell was happy to settle for a point at Coventry this afternoon.
"For us to get something out of this game was psychologically very important," he told the post-match press.
"I know that Wolves and Birmingham have come here and been beaten - so a point here is a plus for us.
"There was seventy minutes or so of shadow boxing - both sides were more intent on not losing than on committing to winning.
"From my point of view I thought we only got into a real rhythm in the last ten or fifteen minutes.
"This year we are the Championship team, I think, who had more players away than any other last week. And I shouldn't really complain about it because they're international players.
"But they're away in Africa, Australia, all parts of Europe - it does make a difference."
With so many players away before this afternoon's game, Reading's preparations have been seriously hampered, and Coppell admitted that the rigours of internaitonal football undoubtedly took their toll.
"International duty has been a major problem for us for two years now.
"I think that over the course of those two years, there have been 10 or 11 international breaks and we've come back from nine or ten of those with a game away from home.
"Now it doesn't sound as if that should make a difference but when you've had so many players travelling around the world, the results have shown that it does.
"Adam Federici got back from Australia at 8am on Friday, and then was travelling with the squad to Coventry in the afternoon.
"We had a couple of players missing til Friday. We had four away with the Irish squad and they got in at 4am on Thursday.
"You would like to think that the fixture computer would be equal and you would have an even number of home and away games when you return.
"I think it was a significant factor in the Premier League last season, when we travelled to Sunderland, Blackburn, Bolton - all long trips.
"In the past I've played the players who have played midweek internationals for their countries, but we have found that we have been leg weary.
"So I left Doyle out, Hunt out, Noel Hunt and Marek were on the bench - we moved the squad around so the players who have been with us most for training and preparation were the ones who started.
"It was difficult to get any continuity in training this week. So I tried to go with the players I hoped would be the freshest.
"There were still gaps in there - Bikey and Cisse were away for nine or ten days right across Africa. Rosenior was injured and suspended.
"Julian Kelly was excellent though. I have no doubts about him - we know he'll be a good player and I know he'd just come in and do a really good job."
Now the pressure is on and a visit of Sheffield United on Good Friday is vital.
"It's a key game in deciding the sharp end of the division. They've got a great away record, we've got a stuttering home record - but it's all to play for.
"I think we've got good quality in the squad, experience, some old heads, but you can never predict how they'll cope with the pressure until the real action starts.
"Next week is a very important game now. We have home advantage and its our responsibility to take the game to the opposition, and we will accept that."
